City of Paducah’s Post

In a new recycling initiative, our old glass insulators may just find their way into your home, thanks to a new partnership that transforms waste into warmth. We’ve recently inked a deal with 5R Solutions Limited, a glass recycling specialist, to collect and process glass insulators from our transmission towers that have reached end-of-life. 5R supplies Auckland-based company, Comfortech Building Performance Solutions®, who melts down the glass and repurposes it as Pink® Batts® home insulation that’s used to keep homes warm across the motu. The metal from the insulators is recycled by Phoenix Recycling Group. For the foreseeable future, this initiative will divert 127 tonnes of insulators from landfill every year – the equivalent of over 60 cars! Under our Sustainability Strategy, we’re committed to fostering environmental stewardship through long-term, sustainable changes to our operations. One way we’re doing this is by operating at as close to a zero-waste organisation as possible, with a target of reducing our waste sent to landfill by 30% from 2022/23 levels by 2030. This initiative alone achieves half of this goal and reduces our disposal costs by around 30%, reducing our waste sent to landfill.   The process wasn’t without its challenges. These include developing a model to forecast the amount of glass we’ll replace over the coming years, manufacturing specially designed crates that can be reused throughout the initiative’s life, and the recycler needed to demonstrate they could safely separation the glass from the metal insulators it’s bonded with to cement. Through forward thinking initiatives like this, we can increase the efficiency of our material use and minimise our environmental impact. Pictured - Comfortech melting glass at 1,300 degrees celsius.

We recently visited the Quattro UK Ltd facilities in Acton and Southall to see how our waste material from the Old Oak Common station site is being recycled.    Quattro were appointed by our logistics provider, Clipfine Ltd, in 2023 and have achieved a 100% diversion from landfill rate for Old Oak Common, which means that all of the waste from site is either recycled or recovered, surpassing HS2’s performance target of 95%. Recovery is what happens to waste that can't be recycled – it involves extracting usable resources or energy, such as burning waste to generate electricity.   This is down to the great work Clipfine and our teams are doing to separate our waste into wood, scrap metal, plastic, cardboard, vegetation and food waste, before transporting it onto Quattro. Unlike most construction sites, we sort all waste at the source to ensure as much recycling as possible is achieved.   Quattro are one of the leading waste management companies in London, with a range of accreditations such as FORS Gold, BES 6001 and PAS 402. In addition, all of their vehicles meet the Euro 6 emissions standards, the strictest regulations for reducing vehicle emissions in the European Union and many other parts of the world. Their innovative systems also track waste generation patterns, helping us to continuously reduce waste on site.   Clipfine Project Director, Andy Brown, commented: “By involving Quattro, we make the most of their specialised processes, larger skips and machinery, with more cost-effective and sustainable results, on behalf of BBVS and HS2. We have many suppliers who work with our team to maximise the diversion from landfill agenda and to keep the site and neighbourhood clean and tidy. Of these suppliers, Quattro have made an impressive contribution.”     Quattro General Manager, Oliver James, commented: "It was fantastic to welcome the team from Old Oak Common to our West London sites. Showcasing how we process their waste highlighted the critical role their efforts in waste segregation play in achieving outstanding recycling and landfill diversion rates. We're excited to strengthen this collaboration and continue driving their project forward with sustainability at its core."

Here are 10 practical steps to help clean your city and keep it sustainable: 1. Organize Community Clean-Up Drives Collaborate with neighbors, schools, and local organizations to organize regular clean-up events in public areas like parks, streets, and waterways. 2. Promote Waste Segregation Educate residents on separating biodegradable, recyclable, and non-recyclable waste to ensure proper disposal and recycling. 3. Install and Maintain Trash Bins Place adequate trash bins in public spaces and ensure regular maintenance and timely emptying to prevent littering. 4. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Encourage the community to minimize waste generation by adopting sustainable practices like recycling and reusing items. 5. Ban Single-Use Plastics Advocate for the reduction or elimination of single-use plastics, replacing them with eco-friendly alternatives like cloth bags and reusable bottles. 6. Plant Trees and Green Spaces Increase green cover in your city by planting trees and maintaining public gardens, as greenery contributes to cleaner air and a healthier environment. 7. Report Illegal Dumping Encourage residents to report illegal waste dumping or littering to local authorities to maintain cleanliness and accountability. 8. Raise Awareness Through Campaigns Conduct awareness campaigns through social media, schools, and community events to educate citizens about the importance of keeping the city clean. 9. Support Local Waste Management Initiatives Partner with local authorities and private organizations to improve waste management systems and recycling programs. 10. Lead by Example Be a role model by practicing clean habits, such as not littering, disposing of waste responsibly, and participating actively in city beautification efforts.

We are seeking views from businesses on new Simpler Recycling legislation, set to come into effect from 31st March 2025, as part of the government’s Resources and Waste Strategy. From next year, all businesses in England will need to adhere to stricter recycling practices to simplify recycling nationwide. The new laws are designed to improve recycling rates, simplify waste management and crack down on waste crime, supporting the new Environment Secretary, Steve Reed MP, in moving the UK toward a zero-waste circular economy. Donald Ward, Operations Director at Ward said: “The Government missed its 2020 recycling target and so introduced a more robust Resources and Waste Strategy, which will see far reaching waste reforms throughout the waste industry. “Simpler Recycling has been discussed for some time and will now become law in early 2025, but we are realizing that many businesses might not understand what the legislation involves and what is means for them. We’ve launched this survey to test the level of understanding, to find out what businesses already know and find ways that we can support them in preparing for changes ahead.” The waste reforms aim to boost recycling rates, meet future recycling targets and protect the environment and provide consistency in recycling practices for homes, workplaces and schools across England. They will include introducing a streamlined approach to recycling and reduce bin complexity, introducing food waste collections and specifying a recyclables waste stream. Businesses have until Friday 27th September to complete the survey and share their views here: https://lnkd.in/epR2aQjd. A report of findings will be available later in the year. 

How to recycle Recycle right and we all win WasteMINZ (Waste Management Institute of New Zealand) ran a competition: Rinse,Recycle,Repeat. The aim was to encourage New Zealanders to rinse their recycling before they put it out for kerbside collection. The competition was part of a wider WasteMINZ campaign to change behaviour when it comes to recycling practices so more recycling will be able to be processed and not sent to landfill. Wainui Beach School won with this entry https://lnkd.in/gMTiAj-3  Cleaning those empties And to the eternal question: do you have to clean empties for them to be recycled. The answers: yes. Many, many of us try to do the right thing by recycling, but the truth is that merrily tossing an empty can or milk bottle into the requisite bin simply isn’t enough. If you’ve taken up recycling, you’re already helping to make the world a greener place, but contaminants can ruin certain recycling processes. Every year New Zealanders create 17.49 million tonnes of waste, on average that’s 3.5 tonnes of waste for every single one of us across Aotearoa. But what’s worse, an estimated 25% of recyclable items end up being sent to landfill because they are contaminated or aren’t clean enough for the recycling process. Landfills in New Zealand are currently filling up at an annual rate of 12.59 million tonne. That is apparently the same weight as all the materials required to build the Auckland sky tower 600 times…every year. More unnecessary items going to landfill means an ever-increasing number and size of landfills and even more cost to all of us. On average it costs $212 per tonne or $1000 per truck to send non-recyclable items to landfill. https://lnkd.in/gY5A4kU5 #sustainableworkplace #sustainabilitytips #sustainabiltymeetspracticality #hygieneproducts #environment #biodegradable

The Australian Council of Recycling and the Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association of New South Wales have released industry research outlining the dangers caused by electronic items thrown away in conventional waste and recycling streams. https://lnkd.in/grrtjvJc Australian Council of Recycling (ACOR) Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association NSW & ACT (WCRA) Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) Victorian Waste Management Association Battery Stewardship Council National Waste & Recycling Industry Council AORA - Australian Organics Recycling Association Limited BINGO INDUSTRIES REMONDIS Australia Veolia Australia and New Zealand Cleanaway Waste Management Ecocycle Australia Ecobatt Australia Planet Ark No More Butts

The “Pay-as-you-throw” (PAYT) program in Worcester, Massachusetts, introduced in 1993 during a budget crisis, charges residents $1.50 for a 30-gallon trash bag and $0.75 for a 15-gallon bag to cover waste disposal costs. Initially met with resistance, the program dramatically increased recycling rates from 2% to 38% within a week and reduced annual trash per capita from 900 pounds (national average) to 400 pounds. Over 400,000 pounds of waste were recycled instead of being sent to landfills, saving the city $10–$20 million over 20 years. Revenues fund recycling and bulky waste collection, encouraging residents to recycle more and reduce waste. To improve waste management, Pakistan can adopt a "Pay-as-you-throw" (PAYT) program, where households pay for waste disposal based on the trash they produce, encouraging waste reduction and recycling. My recommendations include establishing recycling infrastructure, launching public awareness campaigns, supporting the informal recycling sector, and starting PAYT pilot projects in major cities. Subsidized bags for low-income groups, strict enforcement of waste regulations, and private sector partnerships can further enhance effectiveness. These measures can reduce landfill waste, increase recycling rates, save municipal costs, and create green jobs, fostering sustainability in Pakistan.

How to recycle Recycle right and we all win WasteMINZ (Waste Management Institute of New Zealand) ran a competition: Rinse,Recycle,Repeat. The aim was to encourage New Zealanders to rinse their recycling before they put it out for kerbside collection. The competition was part of a wider WasteMINZ campaign to change behaviour when it comes to recycling practices so more recycling will be able to be processed and not sent to landfill. Wainui Beach School won with this entry https://lnkd.in/gMTiAj-3  Cleaning those empties And to the eternal question: do you have to clean empties for them to be recycled. The answers: yes. Many, many of us try to do the right thing by recycling, but the truth is that merrily tossing an empty can or milk bottle into the requisite bin simply isn’t enough. If you’ve taken up recycling, you’re already helping to make the world a greener place, but contaminants can ruin certain recycling processes. Every year New Zealanders create 17.49 million tonnes of waste, on average that’s 3.5 tonnes of waste for every single one of us across Aotearoa. But what’s worse, an estimated 25% of recyclable items end up being sent to landfill because they are contaminated or aren’t clean enough for the recycling process. Landfills in New Zealand are currently filling up at an annual rate of 12.59 million tonne. That is apparently the same weight as all the materials required to build the Auckland sky tower 600 times…every year. More unnecessary items going to landfill means an ever-increasing number and size of landfills and even more cost to all of us. On average it costs $212 per tonne or $1000 per truck to send non-recyclable items to landfill. https://lnkd.in/gY5A4kU5 #sustainableworkplace #sustainabilitytips #sustainabiltymeetspracticality #hygieneproducts #environment #biodegradable

I want to be buoyed by this common sense victory for millions of homes and businesses across UK, but it is another example of how politicians obscure and delay sensible policy. Nonetheless, a simplified and consistent bin collection system across England, by the end of March 2026, will go someway to "end the confusion" and reduce waste going to landfill. But folk are already fed up with multiple and mixed recycling systems, and I am under no illusion that transitioning will be riddled with implementation and quality problems. The most important step we can a take is to reduce our waste creation in the first place. #waste #recycling #reducewaste #circulareconomy #wastemanagement WRAP

Commingled waste bins are essential for managing mixed recyclables. They simplify the recycling process, making it easy for everyone. Recycling can be confusing. Different materials often require separate bins. Commingled waste bins solve this issue. They allow you to mix recyclables like paper, plastic, glass, and metal in one container. This makes recycling more convenient and encourages higher participation. These bins are perfect for homes, offices, and public places. They help reduce landfill waste and promote a cleaner environment. In this blog, we'll explore the benefits of commingled waste bins. We'll also discuss how they work and why they are important for effective recycling. Stay with us to learn more about making recycling easier and more efficient. Read more here https://lnkd.in/gwx-U-3V #Commingledwastebins